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Gauge Freedom Journal

Open-source WordPress plugin for academic journal management with double-blind peer review, workflow automation, and human+AI collaboration

by Gauge Freedom, Inc. · github.com/gaugefreedom/gauge-freedom-journal-wp · website

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Install

No release zip yet. The repository archive installs, but the folder name will carry the branch suffix and updates will not flow:

wp plugin install https://github.com/gaugefreedom/gauge-freedom-journal-wp/archive/refs/heads/main.zip
Readme github.com/gaugefreedom/gauge-freedom-journal-wp ↗

Gauge Freedom Journal - WordPress Plugin

A complete, production-ready WordPress plugin for managing academic peer review.

Built by Gauge Freedom, Inc. for Gauge Freedom Journal - advancing human+AI symbiosis in scientific research through rigorous, transparent peer review.

🎉 Current Status: v1.0.0 - Production Ready

✅ Complete submission-to-publication workflow ✅ Multi-round peer review with re-reviews ✅ Double-blind anonymity enforcement ✅ Comprehensive security audit passed ✅ Successfully tested end-to-end

🚀 Quick Start

# 1. Install
cd /path/to/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/
git clone https://github.com/gaugefreedom/gauge-freedom-journal-wp.git
cd gauge-freedom-journal-wp

# 2. Activate in WordPress Admin → Plugins

# 3. Create required pages with shortcodes:
# - /dashboard/ → [gfj_dashboard]
# - /submit-manuscript/ → [gfj_submit_form]

# 4. Start accepting submissions!

That's it! The plugin handles everything else automatically.

✨ Features

Implemented & Working (v1.0.0)

For Authors

  • ✅ Manuscript Submission - Upload blinded + full PDFs, LaTeX sources, code/data links
  • ✅ Real-Time Tracking - Dashboard shows current stage and editor feedback
  • ✅ Revision Uploads - Respond to reviewer comments with revised manuscripts
  • ✅ Email Notifications - Get notified at every workflow stage
  • ✅ Decision Letters - View detailed editor feedback and reviewer comments

For Reviewers

  • ✅ Review Invitations - Accept/decline requests via dashboard
  • ✅ Double-Blind Access - See blinded manuscripts only (author info hidden)
  • ✅ Structured Reviews - Score on 6 criteria + written feedback
  • ✅ Re-Reviews - Review revised manuscripts with access to previous reviews
  • ✅ Previous Review Context - See your prior comments and author's responses

For Editors

  • ✅ Triage Queue - Review new submissions anonymously (author info hidden)
  • ✅ Reviewer Management - Invite, track, and re-invite reviewers
  • ✅ Multi-Round Reviews - Handle major/minor revisions with same or different reviewers
  • ✅ Editorial Decisions - Accept, request revisions, or reject with feedback
  • ✅ Revision Workflow - Distinguish triage revisions (anonymous) from post-review revisions
  • ✅ Complete Audit Trail - Track all decisions, reviews, and revisions

Security & Reliability

  • ✅ 62+ Security Checks - Nonce verification on all actions
  • ✅ SQL Injection Protection - All queries parameterized
  • ✅ Permission Enforcement - Role-based access control throughout
  • ✅ Error Handling - Graceful failures with clear error messages
  • ✅ Email Validation - Safe handling of deleted users/posts

Open Science Support

  • ✅ Required Code Repositories - Link to GitHub, Zenodo, etc.
  • ✅ Required Data Access - Enforce data availability statements
  • ✅ LaTeX Source Upload - Transparency in document preparation
  • ✅ AI Disclosure - Required AI contribution statements
  • ✅ Conflict of Interest - Mandatory COI declarations

Email Notifications (8 Types)

  1. Author: Submission confirmation
  2. Editor: New submission alert
  3. Author: Triage decision (approve/revise/reject)
  4. Reviewer: Review invitation (initial or re-review)
  5. Editor: Review completed alert
  6. Editor: Reviewer accepted/declined
  7. Author: Final decision (accept/revise/reject)
  8. Editor: Revision uploaded

📋 Complete Workflow

The Journey of a Manuscript

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 1. SUBMISSION                                               │
│    Author uploads: blinded PDF, full PDF, LaTeX, links      │
│    Status: TRIAGE                                           │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                              │
                              ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 2. TRIAGE (Anonymous)                                       │
│    Editor sees: title, abstract, keywords (NO author info)  │
│    Decision: Send to Review / Request Changes / Desk Reject│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
       │                      │                      │
       ▼                      ▼                      ▼
   REVIEW              REVISION (Triage)        REJECTED
       │                      │
       │         Author uploads revision
       │                      │
       │         Returns to TRIAGE (still anonymous)
       │                      │
       ├──────────────────────┘
       │
       ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 3. PEER REVIEW                                              │
│    Editor assigns 2-3 reviewers                             │
│    Reviewers see blinded manuscript only                    │
│    Editor sees full manuscript + author info                │
│    Status: REVIEW                                           │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                              │
                              ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 4. EDITOR DECISION                                          │
│    Reviews complete → Editor makes decision                 │
│    Options: Accept / Minor Revision / Major Revision / Reject│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
       │           │                    │              │
       ▼           ▼                    ▼              ▼
   ACCEPTED    REVISION (Minor)    REVISION (Major)  REJECTED
                   │                    │
                   │   Author uploads revision with response
                   │                    │
                   ▼                    ▼
               Returns to REVIEW (NOT anonymous)
                   │
                   │   Can re-invite same reviewers!
                   │   They see their previous review + author response
                   │
                   └────────> Repeat until ACCEPTED or REJECTED

Key Workflow Features

Triage Revisions (Anonymous):

  • Author info remains hidden
  • Returns to triage queue
  • Editor makes fresh decision

Post-Review Revisions (Not Anonymous):

  • Author info visible to editor
  • Returns to review stage
  • Can re-invite same reviewers for re-review
  • Reviewers see their previous comments + author's response

🛠️ Installation & Setup

Requirements

  • WordPress 5.8+
  • PHP 7.4+
  • MySQL 5.7+
  • Pretty permalinks enabled

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Install Plugin

cd wp-content/plugins/
git clone https://github.com/gaugefreedom/gauge-freedom-journal-wp.git

2. Activate

  • Go to WordPress Admin → Plugins
  • Activate "Gauge Freedom Journal"
  • Plugin automatically creates database tables and user roles

3. Create Pages

Page Slug Shortcode Purpose
/dashboard/ [gfj_dashboard] User dashboard (role-based)
/submit-manuscript/ [gfj_submit_form] Submission form

4. Configure WordPress Registration

The plugin uses WordPress's built-in registration with custom fields:

  • Go to Settings → General → Enable "Anyone can register"
  • Registration URL: yourdomain.com/wp-login.php?action=register
  • New users choose role: Author or Reviewer
  • Email verification required (password reset link)

5. Optional: Customize Login Logo

Option A - Via WordPress Customizer:

  • Appearance → Customize → Site Identity → Upload Logo

Option B - Set URL directly:

update_option('gfj_login_logo_url', 'https://yoursite.com/logo.png');

6. Create Editorial Team

Create user accounts with these roles:

  • Journal Editor (gfj_editor) - Triage and assign reviewers
  • Editor in Chief (gfj_eic) - Full editorial control
  • Managing Editor (gfj_managing_editor) - Operational oversight

Done! Authors and reviewers can now self-register.

📖 Usage Guide

For Authors

Submit Manuscript:

  1. Register at /wp-login.php?action=register (choose "Author")
  2. Verify email and set password
  3. Login and go to "Submit Manuscript"
  4. Fill form and upload files:
    • Blinded PDF (remove ALL author info)
    • Full PDF (complete manuscript)
    • LaTeX sources (ZIP)
    • Code/data repository links
  5. Submit and track in dashboard

Respond to Revisions:

  1. Receive email notification
  2. Login to dashboard
  3. Click "Upload Revision"
  4. Upload revised files + response to reviewers
  5. Submit

For Reviewers

Accept Invitation:

  1. Receive email with manuscript title/abstract
  2. Login to dashboard
  3. Click "Accept" or "Decline"
  4. If accepted, click "Submit Review"

Submit Review:

  1. Download and read blinded manuscript
  2. Score on 6 criteria (1-5)
  3. Write comments for author (shared) and editor (confidential)
  4. Choose recommendation: Accept / Minor Revision / Major Revision / Reject
  5. Submit before deadline (21 days)

Re-Reviews (Revised Manuscripts):

  • Receive email: "Re-Review Invitation (Revised Manuscript)"
  • See author's response to your previous review
  • Review form shows your previous comments
  • Assess if author adequately addressed concerns

For Editors

Triage Queue:

  1. View new submissions in dashboard
  2. Click manuscript title
  3. Review: title, abstract, keywords, cover letter
  4. Note: Author info is hidden during triage
  5. Make decision:
    • Send to Review - Approve for peer review
    • Request Changes - Ask author to revise before review
    • Desk Reject - Reject without review

Assign Reviewers:

  1. After triage approval, full manuscript unlocked
  2. Scroll to "Reviewer Assignment" section
  3. Select reviewer from dropdown → Click "Invite"
  4. Repeat for 2-3 reviewers
  5. Track status in "Assigned Reviewers" table

View Reviews:

  1. When reviewer submits, you receive email
  2. Open manuscript edit page
  3. Click "View Review" button
  4. Modal shows:
    • Reviewer name (hidden from author)
    • Scores and recommendation
    • Comments to editor (confidential)
    • Comments for author (shared)
    • Decision buttons (see below)

Make Editorial Decision:

  1. After viewing review, use decision buttons in modal:
    • ✅ Accept Manuscript
    • 📝 Request Minor Revisions
    • 📝 Request Major Revisions
    • ❌ Reject Manuscript
  2. Write comments for author
  3. Confirm decision
  4. Author receives email notification

Handle Revisions:

  1. Author uploads revision → You receive email
  2. Open manuscript edit page
  3. See revision notes at top (blue box)
  4. Triage revisions: Make new triage decision (still anonymous)
  5. Review revisions: Re-invite same reviewers or make decision directly

🔐 Security Features

  • SQL Injection: All queries use $wpdb->prepare()
  • XSS Protection: All outputs escaped (esc_html, esc_url)
  • CSRF Protection: Nonce verification on all AJAX actions
  • Authorization: Role-based permission checks everywhere
  • File Upload Security: Type validation, size limits, malware scanning ready
  • Email Safety: Null checks prevent crashes from deleted users

🔧 Customization

Add Custom Workflow Stages

Edit includes/post-types/class-manuscript.php:

'stages' => [
    'triage' => 'Initial Review',
    'review' => 'Peer Review',
    'revision' => 'Author Revision',
    'accepted' => 'Accepted',
    'copyediting' => 'Copyediting',  // ADD NEW STAGE
    'published' => 'Published',
]

Modify Email Templates

Use WordPress filters:

add_filter('wp_new_user_notification_email', function($email, $user) {
    // Customize new user email
    return $email;
}, 10, 2);

Change Review Deadline

Default is 21 days. Modify in includes/handlers/class-ajax-handler.php:

$due_date = date('Y-m-d H:i:s', strtotime('+30 days')); // Change to 30 days

📊 Roadmap

v1.1.0 - Quality of Life (Q1 2025)

Focus: Improve editor/reviewer experience

  • [ ] Activity Logging - Audit trail for all editorial actions
  • [ ] Email Queue System - Retry failed emails, track delivery
  • [ ] Bulk Operations - Assign multiple reviewers at once
  • [ ] Dashboard Widgets - "Awaiting Triage" / "Pending Reviews" counts
  • [ ] Manuscript Search - Filter by stage, author, keyword
  • [ ] Reviewer Database - Track expertise, availability, performance

v1.2.0 - Advanced Features (Q2 2025)

Focus: Automation and integrations

  • [ ] AI Co-Editor - Optional AI review summaries (Claude API)
  • [ ] CAR Verification - Validate computational reproducibility receipts
  • [ ] Advanced Analytics - Review time metrics, acceptance rates
  • [ ] JATS XML Export - Standard format for indexing services
  • [ ] Automated Reminders - Email reviewers before deadlines
  • [ ] Reviewer Matching - AI-suggested reviewers by expertise

v2.0.0 - Publication Platform (Q3 2025)

Focus: Full journal management

  • [ ] Public Article Archive - Browse published papers
  • [ ] DOI Integration - Automatic DOI registration via Crossref
  • [ ] Article Versioning - Track preprints, revisions, final versions
  • [ ] Citation Tracking - Link to Crossref, Semantic Scholar
  • [ ] Multi-Journal Support - Run multiple journals from one install
  • [ ] REST API - Integrate with external systems

v3.0.0 - Enterprise (Q4 2025)

Focus: Scalability and internationalization

  • [ ] Multi-Language Support - i18n for global journals
  • [ ] Mobile Admin App - iOS/Android editor interface
  • [ ] Advanced Permissions - Fine-grained role customization
  • [ ] Performance Optimization - Handle 10k+ manuscripts
  • [ ] White Label - Rebrand for other journals
  • [ ] SaaS Mode - Multi-tenant hosting support

View Detailed Roadmap

🤝 Contributing

We welcome contributions! This is open source software built for the academic community.

How to Contribute

  1. Report Bugs: Open an issue
  2. Suggest Features: Describe your use case
  3. Submit Code:
    git checkout -b feature/your-feature
git commit -am "Add amazing feature"
git push origin feature/your-feature
# Open pull request

Development Guidelines

  • Follow WordPress Coding Standards
  • Add comments for complex logic
  • Test on WordPress 5.8+ and PHP 7.4+
  • Update documentation for new features
  • Security: Never trust user input, always validate/sanitize

Code Structure

gauge-freedom-journal-wp/
├── includes/
│   ├── class-gfj.php                 # Main plugin class
│   ├── class-gfj-activator.php       # Database setup
│   ├── handlers/
│   │   ├── class-ajax-handler.php    # All AJAX endpoints
│   │   └── class-metabox-handler.php # Save manuscript data
│   ├── post-types/
│   │   └── class-manuscript.php      # Manuscript CPT
│   └── roles/
│       └── class-gfj-roles.php       # User roles & capabilities
├── public/
│   ├── partials/                     # Frontend templates
│   └── class-gfj-public.php          # Public-facing functionality
├── assets/
│   ├── css/                          # Stylesheets
│   └── js/                           # JavaScript
└── README.md                         # This file

Public Article Type Labels

Published gfj_article posts use _gfj_article_type for the public article-type label. Missing or invalid values fall back to Research Article; gfj_topic remains a subject/topic taxonomy.

📝 License

GNU General Public License v3.0

This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.

Full License Text

🙏 Acknowledgments

Built with ❤️ for the academic community by Gauge Freedom Journal.

Special Thanks:

  • WordPress community for excellent documentation
  • Claude AI for development assistance and code review
  • Academic editors and reviewers who tested the system
  • Open science advocates pushing for transparency

📞 Support

📈 Stats

  • Production Status: ✅ Ready
  • Security Audit: ✅ Passed
  • Test Coverage: End-to-end workflow validated
  • WordPress Compatibility: 5.8+
  • PHP Compatibility: 7.4+
  • Lines of Code: ~5,000+
  • Active Installations: 1 (Gauge Freedom Journal)
  • Open Source: GPL v3.0

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